KONDAPALLI TOYS

Context: While Kondapalli toys are growing in popularity, its creators are a neglected lot

About Kondapalli Toys:

• Kondapalli toys – cultural icons of Andhra Pradesh – are one of the most sold handicrafts in India and abroad, across online, wholesale, and retail platforms.
• Location: These toys made of wood in Kondapalli of Krishna district, a village nearby Vijayawada in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
• GI Tag: It was registered as one of the geographical indication handicraft from Andhra Pradesh as per Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• These toys were one of the variety of toys assembled in the houses during the festivals of Sankranti and Navratri and is referred as BommalaKoluvu
• The artisans mainly work on producing figures of mythology, animals, birds, bullock carts, rural life etc., and the most notable one is Dasavataram, dancing dolls etc.
• The artisans who make the toys are referred as Aryakhastriyas (also known as Nakarshalu), who have their mention in the Brahmanda Purana.
• The Kondapalli toys are made from soft wood known as TellaPoniki which are found in nearby Kondapalli Hills.
• The wood is first carved out and then the edges are smooth finished.
• The later step involves coloring with either oil and water-colours or vegetable dyes.

 

PSLV-C 46/ RISAT 2B

Context: NewSpace India Ltd, the new public sector space business company, launched a formal search for industry consortia which can regularly manufacture and deliver entire PSLV satellite launch vehicles for its parent, the Indian Space Research Organisation

About PSLV-C 46/ RISAT 2B:

• India launched its latest radar imaging satellite RISAT 2B towards the end of May 2019 on one of the variants of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket
• The rocket carried the radar imaging satellite is designated as PSLV-C46 as per ISRO’s numbering system.
• It took off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

RISAT:

• The RISAT, which was first deployed in orbit on April 20, 2009 as the RISAT-2, uses synthetic aperture radars (SAR) to provide Indian forces with all-weather surveillance and observation, which are crucial to notice any potential threat or malicious activity around

 

 AADI MAHOTSAV

Context: Aadi Mahotsav (National Tribal Festival), is all set for a colourful start on August 17,2019 at Polo Ground, Leh-Ladakh.

• The 9-day event is a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
• The theme of the festival is: “A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce”
• The event will see around 160 Tribal artisans from more than 20 states across the country, actively participating and showcasing their masterpieces.
• The troupes will perform
• Jabro Dance – a nomadic dance and song of people inhabiting eastern Ladakh.
• Spawo dance, a heroic song and dance associated with a legendary hero of Himalayan region called K’sar.
• Further on in the coming days other dance performances like Flower Dance, Abex Dance/song, Ghazal Dance, Aleyyatoo will regale the visitors.

 

SHYAMOLI

Context: Vice President calls on the government and civil society to work hand-in-hand to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage

• He also applauds Archaeological Survey of India for restoring ‘Shyamoli
• Shyamoli– The heritage house of Rabindranath Tagore
• It is an experimental mud-house built at Santiniketan in 1935.
• The house has been recently renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India as a deposit work and is a property of Visva-Bharati at present

 

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) TAG

Context: The Geographical Indication (GI) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade hasrecently registered 4 new GIs

• Palani Panchamirtham from Palani Town in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu State
• Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puanchei from the state of Mizoram
• Tirur Betel leaf from Kerala

Palani Panchamirtham:

• It is an abishegaPrasadam, from Palani Town is one of the main offerings in the Abisegam of Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of ArulmiguDhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, situated in palani Hills, Palani Town
• It is a combination of five natural substances, namely, banana, jaggery sugar, cow ghee, honey and cardamom in a definite proportion.
• It is prepared in a natural method without addition of any preservatives or artificial ingredients and is well known for its religious fervour and gaiety.
• This is the first time a temple ‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag.

Tawlhlohpuan:

• It is a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are made by hand.
• Tawlhloh, in Mizo language, means ‘to stand firm or not to move backward’.
• Tawlhlohpuan, which holds high significance in the Mizo society, is produced throughout the state of Mizoram, Aizawl and Thenzawl town being the main centre of production.

Mizo Puanchei:

• It is a colourful Mizo shawl/textile, from Mizoram, is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles.
• It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state.
• It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies.
• The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving to create this beautiful and alluring textile.

Tirur Betel leaf:

• Tirur betel vine from Kerala, which is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District, is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties.
• Even though it is commonly used for making pan masala for chewing, it has many medicinal, industrial and cultural usages and is considered as a remedy for bad breath and digestive disorders.

Geographical Indications:

• A GI tag indicates that the product originates from a definite territory in India and has unique characteristics or quality.

Having a GI tag:

• Prevents unauthorized use of a registered Geographical Indication by others
• Boosts exports of Indian Geographical indications by providing legal protection
• Also enables seeking legal protection in other WTO member countries.